Two Unusual Aquatics

Saururus chinensis

A curious, somewhat aroid-like aquatic perennial making a leafy colony in shallow water or wet mud. This is a better looking plant than the more common S.cernuus - the inflorescence is a creamy white spadix, but with a conspicuous white bract. Hardy and vigorous but much better behaved than its other relatives, Houttuynia and Anemopsis.
1L pots ~ £8

Sagittaria graminea

A pretty miniature 'arrow-head' with narrow spatula-shaped leaves, and submerged linear leaves. The simple three-petalled flowers are produced through the summer (nb. the upper picture shows male flowers, the lower, female).

Hardy and vigorous and ideal for colonising an area of shallow water or wet mud. Although short in stature, this plant does multiply freely by stolons.
(I bought the original plant as graminea but it could well be S.platyphylla)
bare-rooted plants ~ £4 each

Helwingia

All these plants are in large pots now

Helwingia chinensis

A peculiar evergreen woodland shrub which makes its flowers on the upper surfaces of the leaves (the flower stem is fused to the midrib). This on its own makes it a botanical curio, but it is also a pleasant and intriguing species with dark glossy leaves, maroon tinged when young, and an attractive upright habit.

In good years, red berries will appear, also attached to the leaves. An excellent small to medium sized shrub, best in moist sheltered woodland. Hardy but better with shelter from too much sun and wind.

sold out

Helwingia himalaica

A slight variation on the above. 

Equally nice but with leaves a little bigger and if anything, the new foliage is even glossier.
Hardy but best in moist sheltered sites. Hates freezing winds.

Specimen size plants - £30 - collection only